Article: Comparison of aerodynamic drag and underhood thermal analysis of two heavy-duty vehicles Journal: International Journal of Aerodynamics (IJAD) 2016 Vol.5 No.2 pp.105 - 124 Abstract: External aerodynamics and underhood thermal analyses of two heavy-duty vehicles, (1) cab-over engine (European style flat-front) and (2) conventional truck (North American class-8-style front engine), are being studied to assess their aerodynamic and underhood cooling performances. Both vehicles have similar geometrical dimensions, i.e. width, height and length. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics modelling and simulations are performed using StarCCM+® commercial software. Aerodynamic drag analysis is carried out separately for each configuration. Significant fuel savings are observed in a conventional truck when compared to cab-over engine configurations at all yaw angles. The major reduction in fuel consumption is observed mainly from the cabin designs alone (up to 7.5%). Apart from the aerodynamic drag analysis, underhood thermal analysis is also performed to compare both heavy-duty vehicle configurations. Based on the coolant temperatures, 12 and 10% thermal efficiency improvements are observed in conventional trucks when compared to cab-over engine for charge air cooler and radiator, respectively. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Comparison of aerodynamic drag and underhood thermal analysis of two heavy-duty vehicles

Authors: Prasad Vegendla; Rohit Saha; Tanju Sofu; Long-Kung Hwang

Addresses: Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Lemont, IL 60439, USA ' Cummins Inc., Columbus, IN 47201, USA ' Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Lemont, IL 60439, USA ' Cummins Inc., Columbus, IN 47201, USA

Abstract: External aerodynamics and underhood thermal analyses of two heavy-duty vehicles, (1) cab-over engine (European style flat-front) and (2) conventional truck (North American class-8-style front engine), are being studied to assess their aerodynamic and underhood cooling performances. Both vehicles have similar geometrical dimensions, i.e. width, height and length. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics modelling and simulations are performed using StarCCM+® commercial software. Aerodynamic drag analysis is carried out separately for each configuration. Significant fuel savings are observed in a conventional truck when compared to cab-over engine configurations at all yaw angles. The major reduction in fuel consumption is observed mainly from the cabin designs alone (up to 7.5%). Apart from the aerodynamic drag analysis, underhood thermal analysis is also performed to compare both heavy-duty vehicle configurations. Based on the coolant temperatures, 12 and 10% thermal efficiency improvements are observed in conventional trucks when compared to cab-over engine for charge air cooler and radiator, respectively.

Keywords: aerodynamics; aerodynamic drag; underhood thermal analysis; cab-over engine; conventional trucks; CFD; computational fluid dynamics; heavy-duty vehicles; StarCCM+; heavy vehicles; cooling performance; modelling; simulation; fuel savings; yaw angles; fuel consumption; cabin design; fuel efficiency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAD.2016.080532

International Journal of Aerodynamics, 2016 Vol.5 No.2, pp.105 - 124

Received: 27 Jun 2015
Accepted: 16 Aug 2016
Published online: 28 Nov 2016 *

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Title: Comparison of aerodynamic drag and underhood thermal analysis of two heavy-duty vehicles

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